I love oatmeal, and there's just something about baked oatmeal that feels so INDULGENT. This recipe in particular tasted like a cinnamon roll....but with peanut butter! Yes, baking it requires a little bit of time, and you'll have to wait a half hour for it to work its magic in the oven. Trust me though, it's worth the wait!

For this recipe you will need a 1 cup ramekin or other similar oven-safe dish. It does need to be small however to achieve the desired texture and taste. However, if you are making more than one serving it is possible to bake in a glass or ceramic baking dish. You just will need to keep an eye on it in the oven as the baking time will likely vary.

I especially love this recipe because it is so warm and comforting, which is perfect for the quickly approaching cold weather! If you aren't an oatmeal fan usually I recommend you try this recipe. It just may convert you :)

Let me start by saying that this parfait is AWESOME for a couple of reasons 1) It's EASY to make and 2) It's packed with protein which keeps you feeling satisfied for several hours AND can help curb cravings later in the day. It also tastes just like a yogurt parfait...just without the yogurt ;)

The secret for this recipe is that it is made with organic silken tofu and coconut cream. When blended, the tofu takes on that smooth yogurt-y texture, while the coconut cream adds the satisfying creamy texture thanks to the healthy fats it contains! Silken tofu is different than regular tofu. It is softer and has less water content, making it ideal for pie fillings, mousse, and yogurt-less, protein-packed PARFAITS! Just be sure to choose organic tofu. You can read all about tofu and how to choose the best quality here.

I like to play around with my Vitamix, and am always experimenting with different blended food combos (and yes, I'll admit that sometimes the results are NOT pretty or delicious!). But this experiment was a success! So whether you avoid dairy or are just looking for a different way to do up breakfast I recommend you give this recipe a try!

Place the tofu, coconut cream, vanilla, and sweetener of choice in your blender and blend until smooth. NOTE: If you make this the morning you plan to eat, make sure to put the tofu and coconut cream/milk in the refrigerator overnight! If making the night before, these ingredients can be room temp since you will be storing in the fridge overnight anyway!)

Optional: If making the night before, divide the parfait mixture into 2 mason jars or other containers and stir in 1 tablespoon of chia seeds in each. This further thickens the texture and adds a good source of inflammation-fighting omega 3 fatty acids.

Top with your favorite fruit and whatever else you like, such as granola, coconut, nuts, etc. and enjoy!

You can also blend fruit in along with the other ingredients for a fruity-flavored mousse. Unsweetened cocoa powder could be added for a chocolate version of this recipe (it tastes like chocolate mousse!). So many ways to play around with this recipe!

There you go! An easy and delicious breakfast treat! Give it a try and be sure to leave a comment below telling me what you think! OR post a photo on Instagram using the hashtag @sunsoulwellness!

I hope you all enjoy the rest of your week! Hopefully we get to enjoy some summer weather soon! :)

I'm going to brag about myself a little bit here because this was an unexpected success story in the kitchen! I like baking, but I definitely do not have a knack for it. The clean freak in my doesn't like when flour gets everywhere, and then when I put my creations in the oven I can't help but feel a sense of dread looking at a full sink of sticky dishes. If baking didn't make such a mess maybe I would like it better? ...or if I was actually good at baking. Anyway, to make a long story short, baking is not my forte.

...BUT THEN I MADE THIS!

I had a craving for a sweet bread, but we didn't have any bananas on hand. Determined to make do with what I already had I started measuring and mixing random ingredients, taste testing as I went along. The result was better than I could have ever expected given that this was my first attempt at creating my own baking recipe. It's made with whole wheat flour and sweetened with raw coconut sugar and medjool dates. Creamy almond butter, crunchy coconut, and chewy dates with a light cinnamon taste make this bread perfect for breakfast, snacks, or dessert. Drizzle it with maple syrup and/or nut butter to bring this to the next level. Enjoy!

Ingredients:

1 cup whole wheat flour

1/3 cup raw coconut sugar or other sugar of choice

1 tsp baking powder

4 medjool dates, soaked for 10-20 minutes to soften

1/4 cup shredded coconut

3/4 cup milk of choice (I used a mix of light coconut milk and almond milk)

1/4 cup natural almond butter

1/4 cup melted coconut oil

1 flax egg (1 tbsp flax + 2 tbsp water)

1 tsp vanilla extract

1/2 tsp cinnamon (or to taste)

Method:

Prepare the flax egg by mixing 1 tbsp ground flax with 2 tbsp water in a small bowl. Let sit for about 5 minutes or until it thickens

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and grease a loaf pan

Combine milk, oil, flax egg and vanilla in a large bowl and stir to combine

In a medium bowl mix together flour, sugar, baking powder and cinnamon until well combined

Add dry ingredients to wet and mix by hand until combined.

Take the dates out of their soaking water and remove the pits. Chop into small pieces and fold into the batter along with the shredded coconut

Transfer to the loaf pan and bake 22-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean. Let cool completely before removing from pan

Optional: Spread a thin layer of almond butter on top (I used Justin's vanilla almond butter) and then sprinkle with more coconut

Recommended: Serve warm with a drizzle of pure maple syrup and/or nut butter. Best stored at room temp in a container with foil or cling wrap over top. I find that air tight containers make baked goods chewy.

That's it! Easy, wholesome, and satisfying. You can even get creative and add chocolate chips or use peanut butter instead of almond. There are so many possibilities with this bread! Just try your best to share because it's hard not to eat the whole thing at once! :)

Perfect for weekend breakfasts or to be made ahead of time, this recipe is reminiscent of apple pie, only it's made with simple ingredients, no added sugar, and no oil! It can also be made gluten free by using gluten free oats. It tastes indulgent, but it's packed with nutrition. That's what I call a win-win!

Personalize this recipe by adding any of your favorite ingredients or switch it up and make it with chopped pears! And if you make this recipe, snap a photo and tag me on Instagram at @sunsoulwellness so I can see your creation! Have a great weekend!